[Nhcoll-l] Exploding glass vials

[John E Simmons]

Sarah,
I agree with Dirk that the problem is internal pressure cause by
temperature fluctuations. Leaving more headspace (air space) between the
top of the liquid and the lid should solve the problem (because air is more
compressible than fluid).

That said, Randy also makes a good point. Instead of using screw-cap vials,
rehouse the specimens in straight-sided vials (shell vials) plugged with
polyester fiber and submerged in a larger jar of ethanol with a screw-cap
lid. I like polyester better than cotton because it has greater regain and
when done right, makes a better plug. Limit the number of vials you put in
each jar to make it easier to find the individual vials you need and to
minimize handling--keep just one layer of vials per jar, not two. The
advantages of housing several vials in a larger jar include an improved
specimen volume to fluid volume ratio, easier inspection for loss of fluid,
and you only have to worry about the seal on one closure (the jar) rather
than several closures.

--John

John E. Simmons
Museologica
128 E. Burnside Street
Bellefonte, Pennsylvania 16823-2010
simmons.johne at gmail.com
303-681-5708
www.museologica.com
and
Adjunct Curator of Collections
Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery
Penn State University
University Park, Pennsylvania
and
Instructor, Museum Studies
School of Library and Information Science
Kent State University

On Wed, Jan 11, 2017 at 8:42 AM, Sarah K. Huber <skhuber at vims.edu> wrote:

> We are having some problems with our glass vials (2-dram, 4-dram, and
> 6-dram) cracking, breaking, and in some cases exploding. In one instance
> the top of the vial snapped and shot up a few inches in the air about 5
> minutes after sealing the vial (very exciting). However, most vials that
> break are found during routine (monthly) checks. In some cases, the vials
> have been fine for a year, and then will break. In other cases, they break
> a week or two after fillign. Breakage occurs several ways: a clean break
> along the neck, a clean break along the bottom, or spider cracks along the
> whole vial. Has anyone else had this problem or know of a solution (e.g.,
> do we need higher quality glass vials, are we screwing down the lids too
> tight, etc.)?
>
>
>
> We use Kimble™ Screw-Thread N-51A Borosilicate Glass Sample Vials with
> Closed-Top Black Phenolic Caps with Rubber Liners. Vials are filled with
> ethanol (either 70% or 95%) and larval fishes. Vials are stored in
> cardboard vial trays with dividers between vials, and vial trays are stored
> in wooden drawers in sealed metal cabinets. The room has minimal
> fluctuations in humidity, but can fluctuate in temperature by about 5
> degrees. Once the vials are stored they are relatively undisturbed, so
> there is little to no bumping or moving of the vials.
>
>
>
> Any thoughts or recommendations of other vial manufacturers would be
> appreciated.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Sarah
>
>
>
> Sarah K. Huber, Ph.D.
> Curatorial Associate, VIMS Nunnally Ichthyology Collection
> Office 804.684.7104 <(804)%20684-7104> | Collection 804.684.7285
> skhuber at vims.edu | www.vims.edu
> PO Box 1346 | 1375 Greate Rd., Gloucester Pt., VA 23062
>
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